Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez to be Invested with the Pallium by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America

The Pallium is a liturgical vestment that symbolizes communion with the Holy Father and the Archbishop’s role as Shepherd of a Metropolitan See.

The Mass and the investiture with the Pallium will be broadcast via Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez and https://vimeo.com/event/170078

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez will be the principal celebrant for the Solemn Mass with the Investiture with the Pallium at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Sunday, July 19^th.

During the Introductory Rites of the Mass, Archbishop Pérez will be invested with the Pallium by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America. As Nuncio, Archbishop Pierre serves as the Vatican’s official ambassador to the United States. In addition to investing Archbishop Pérez with the Pallium, he will concelebrate the Mass and serve as homilist.

Sunday, July 19, 2020
11:00 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Additional concelebrants are expected to include Most Reverend Borys Gudziak, Archbishop of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia; Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, Bishop of Greensburg; Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown; Most Reverend Edward M. Deliman, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia; Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia; Most Reverend John J. McIntyre, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia; Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia; Monsignor Larry J. Kulick, Vicar General of the Diocese of Greensburg; and priests of the Archdiocese.

Background Regarding the Pallium and its Investiture

The Pallium is a vestment worn over a metropolitan archbishop’s chasuble at Mass within the geographic boundaries of his metropolitan area. It is a symbol of communion with the Holy Father and serves as a reminder of the role of the archbishop as shepherd.

It is a straight sash of material made of white wool and approximately two inches in width. It is curved at the center allowing it to rest on the shoulders with two black flaps falling in front and behind, so that, seen either from the front or from behind, the vestment reminds one of the letter “Y.” It is decorated with six crosses of black silk, one on each end and four on the incurvature, and is decorated in front and on the back, with three pins or nails symbolic of the nails used in the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Traditionally, archbishops appointed throughout the world over the course of the previous year are invited to concelebrate Mass for the Solemnity Saints Peter and Paul (June 29^th) with the Holy Father in Rome. During the Mass, the Holy Father blesses the pallia (plural of the word Pallium) which are made of wool from lambs that are presented on the feast of Saint Agnes of Rome (January 21) and left overnight at the tomb of Saint Peter beneath the altar of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was not possible for the traditional gathering to take place in Rome this summer.

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Editor’s Notes:

Additional Information Regarding the Pallium

Further information regarding the Pallium is available from the Vatican News Service by visiting http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/details/ns_lit_doc_20091117_pallio_en.html.

Biographical Information for Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez was installed as the 14th Bishop (10th Archbishop) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

For Archbishop Pérez’s full biography and official portrait photograph, please visit https://archphila.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ArchPerezBiography.pdf.

Biographical Information for Most Reverend Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America and Titular Archbishop of Gunela[i]

Archbishop Christophe Pierre was born on January 30, 1946 in Rennes, France. He completed his primary education in Antisirabé, Madagascar, and his secondary schooling in Saint-Malo, France, and in Marrakech, Morocco. He attended the Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Rennes (1963-1969) and the Catholic Institute of Paris (1969-1971).

Following military service (July 1965-October 1966), he completed his formation and was ordained a priest on April 5, 1970, in Saint-Malo, France and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Rennes. He was Parochial Vicar of Saint Peter and Saint Paul Parish in Colombes, Diocese of Nanterre, France (1970-1973).

He has a Master in Sacred Theology (Paris, 1971) and a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome (1973-1977).

He completed his studies at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, in Rome (1973-1977), and started his service in the Diplomatic Corps of the Holy See on March 5, 1977.

He was appointed first to the Pontifical Representation in New Zealand and the Islands of the Pacific Ocean (1977-1981). Subsequently he served in Mozambique (1981); in Zimbabwe (1982-1986); in Cuba (1986-1989); in Brazil (1989-1991); at the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland (1991-1995).

He was elected Titular Archbishop of Gunela on July 12, 1995, and received the Episcopal Consecration on September 24, 1995, in Saint-Malo, France.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, on July 12, 1995, where he served until 1999. He has been the Papal Representative to Uganda (1999-2007) and to Mexico (2007-2016). On April 12, 2016 His Holiness, Pope Francis, appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America.

Archbishop Pierre speaks French, Italian, English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Technical and Logistical Information for Media

Mass with the Investiture of the Pallium will be streamed live on Sunday, July 19^th beginning at 10:45 a.m.

Streaming Links

https://vimeo.com/event/170078

https://www.facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez

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Audio Feeds and Reporter Seating

Given space limitations inside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, no television cameras will be permitted inside the Cathedral. As it has done with previous special events, including the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in 2015, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will provide a direct broadcast feed for all media outlets.

Media trucks can access an external mult-box in the parking lot at the rear of the Cathedral. Print and Radio journalists can access an additional mult-box with program closed circuit video feed in the Neumann Room. This private room is located inside the Cathedral behind the main altar. It can be accessed from the parking lot at the rear of the Cathedral. Face covering must be worn at all times inside the Cathedral. The mult-boxes feature both Program and Cleanfeed 1080i video with embedded audio (BNC) and Program audio (XLR). Please contact Daniel Kearns with any technical concerns at 215-888-0305 (cell).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a face covering must be worn at all times inside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

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[i] Archbishop Pierre’s biographical information and photograph are provided courtesy of the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States of America. Appropriate credit should be given for use of the image.

Contact:

Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
Chief Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)